“Whatever. I can’t be breaking the law.”
“I mean, you’re welcome to wear some of my clothes,” he said, “but you’ll have to go commando because my underwear won’t fit you.”
I fumed while Hunter went back to his car and took off his jacket then his shirt.
“Don’t want to get it dirty,” he said with a wink as he picked up the tool kit he had brought. His muscles bulged under the thin white undershirt as he went to one of the boarded-up windows and started using a drill to unscrew the screws
“What are you doing? Stop it!” I said, trying to pull him away. I jerked back as the muscles in his shoulder flexed under my hand.
“I’m getting your clothes. At least your underwear.” Hunter grinned at me. “But maybe not your bra because I did always like it when you just wore my shirt, and I could see your nipples through—Ow!” he complained as I flicked his ear.
“Look, the board’s already off.” He set it aside then opened the window and hopped through.
Against my better judgment, I followed him.
4
Hunter
“I’m going to be arrested and lose my law license,” Meg complained as I led the way through her house.
“I’ll bail you out of jail,” I assured her.
While I hadn’t maliciously lied to Meg about the state of her finances—I did only want to protect her—I also had to admit that this situation was working in my favor. Meg had nowhere to go. She had no money. Barry had been increasingly relying on her salary as deputy mayor to keep the household afloat.
Now Meg would have to let me help her. We would move in together and live happily ever after.
I grabbed some of Barry’s clothes to send to his new home in Arizona while Meg packed up hers and her sisters’ things.
“Just let me know if Minnie and Rose need to come back here. I can break in again,” I reminded her as I took the suitcases from her and carried them downstairs.
“They have most of their stuff at Hazel’s,” Meg grumbled. “They hated living here with Barry.”
I set down the bags then jogged up the staircase to grab the next set.
“Thanks,” she said begrudgingly as I shoved the bags out of the window. Then I helped her back out onto the porch.
“I told you,” I said to Meg, taking her in my arms.It feels so right to have her in my arms. “I’m here for you—whatever you need.” I kissed the top of her head. Meg was as good as mine.
I shrugged on my shirt and jacket then started loading up the bags in my car.
“What are you doing?” she protested.
“They all can’t fit in your little car,” I reminded her. “I’ll swing Minnie and Rose’s stuff at Hazel’s restaurant, then I’ll meet you over at my house. I already told my brothers to make a room ready for you.”
“Are you kidding me?” she sputtered. “I’m not moving in with you!”
“Of course you are; where else are you going to go?”
“You can’t just dictate my life, Hunter Svensson!” Meg insisted, waving her arms. “We didn’t even talk about this.”
“You’re homeless,” I scoffed, slipping on my sunglasses. “Are you going to sleep in the car? In your office? You need somewhere to stay.”
“I’m not moving in with you!” she yelled at me.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” I said, slamming the door shut and heading to Main Street.
In the rearview mirror, Meg ran to her car. I smiled at the reflection.
